South Korea rejects Trump's claim; estimates Kim Jong Un has 80-120 nuclear weapons

South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated on Thursday that North Korea likely possesses 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, contradicting US President Donald Trump's claim of 57. The comments were made during a parliamentary session, with Seoul "cannot acknowledge" the 57-warhead estimate. South Korea has ruled out developing nuclear weapons and accepting US tactical nuclear weapons.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions over US-South Korean military drills, which Pyongyang regards as provocative. On Wednesday, Trump announced plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claiming the latter had 57 "very powerful nuclear weapons". This figure diverges from other estimates, including the June report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which suggested North Korea might have 60 warheads and enough fissile material for at least 30 more.

North Korea has consistently pledged to enhance its nuclear force in terms of both quality and quantity, while also condemning joint US-South Korean military exercises as provocative. Pyongyang has labeled South Korea its "most hostile" enemy and accused US-Japan-South Korea military cooperation of forming a nuclear alliance. The developments unfolded amid the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, launched on Monday and slated to conclude on Friday, six days earlier than initially planned.

Despite the reduction, North Korea remains unconvinced, asserting that the scaled-down drills remain provocative.